Fuel burning radiant and air heater



Feb. 26, 1957 H. 1 BOURNER 2,782,780

FUEL BURNING RADIA'NT AND AIE HEATER Filed sept. 17, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet1 y MMM W [G 3 INVENTOR blt/37d @urner ATTORNEYS Feb. 26, 1957 H. L.BouRNl-:R 2,782,780

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INVENTOR 16 Howard ourner ATTORNEYS Feb. 26, 1957 -H. BOURNER 2,782,780

FUEL BURNING RADIANT AND AIR HEATER Filed Sept. 17, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet3 INVENTOR Howfd aufn er ATTORNEY AFUEL' BURNINGLRADIANT `AND 'AIRHEATER Howard L.`Burner, NashvillefTenn., assignor to Temen, Inc.,Nashville, Tenn., a corporation of Tennessee Application'iSeptember17,11953,'Serial No. 380,753

3 Claims. A(Cl. 126-89) This invention* pertains to heaters and`particularly to space heaters.

A primary object of this invention is to provide an irnproved heaterwhich will directly radiate heat and will also heat air which byconvection currents will distribute heated air throughout the room orspace in which the heater is placed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a heater as in thepreceding'object and wherein means areprovided for maintaining the outersurfaces of 'the unit cool enough so that no damage will be caused byarticles or persons coming in contact with the surfaces of the unit.

A further object of the invention is to provide animproved method ofmaintaining the surfaces of the heater passageways extending from thebottom front of the heater'to the top front thereof, the passagewaysbeing progressively removed from the source of .heat so that the finalpassageway carries air which removes substantially all of the heat whichwould otherwise reach the outer surfaces and heat them.

It is a further object of the invention, in keeping with the foregoingobject, to so position the passageway which moves thegreater amount ofair -as to have its intake opening spaced considerably above the ilooron which the heater stands, with the passageway moving a lesser amountof air nearer the door, so that the more rapidly moving air, which willbe inclined to pick up more dust from the door, will be'removed from theHoor so as to avoid this disadvantage.

i It is a further object of the inventionv to provide a space heaterhaving air intake at Ithe bottom front of the unit primarily through ascreen panel, and an air outlet at rthe top front of the unit through asecond screen panel, a space .fordirect radiationfrom ceramic radiantsbeing providedbetween the upper and lower screenpanels.

Further objects andthe entire scope of the invention will be in partexpressed and in part obvious from the following detailed description.

The invention maybe best understood with reference to the accompanyingdrawingsvwherein:

Figure lfshows a front elevationalview of an assembled heater-accordingto the invention.

-Figure 2-.shows a right-hand side view of the heater of Figure-1.

`Figureshowsa top view of .-the heater of Figure l.

Figure4 .shows a top sectional view taken'substantially along the. lineVY4 4 ofFigure l.

Figure shows aside'se'ctional viewtaken substantially along the line5-'5 of Figure l, and

Figure ..6shows a front .eleva-tional view of a heater unitwhichcomprises `a part of the complete assembly shown infFigures- 1-5.

The complete space heater consists basically of a casing or cabinet inwhich is removably supported a heater unit. .The `casing includes atopwall andside walls .12 and 14,the latter extending downwardly to`terminate at the door 16 on which the complete heater will rest.

ice

`No bottom,frontor rear walls are provided, but the lowermost ends ofthe side walls 12 and 14 are joinedtogether at the rear by angleironsupport i7. An inturned edge 1S extends completelyalong the frontedges of top wall 10 and side walls. 12` and 1li. Additionally, acontinuous inturned edge 20 extends along the rear edges of top wall liland `side walls12 and 14.

At the front of lthe casing there is provided a lower screen frame 22and anupper screen frame 24. Both may be identical -in construction, andthe details of frame 24 will be described. Frame 24 consists primarilyof a rectangularly'formed edgemember 26 which is generally U-shaped incross-section, as may be most readily observed in Figures A4 and 5. vAscreen member 28, which may be conveniently bowed outwardly as desiredto give a pleasing curvature, is fixed along the outer edge of therectangular frame member 26. `The rear edge of the member 26 isdesignated 30 and at the side edges is intended to mate with'theinturned edges 18 of side walls 12 and 14. Apertures are providedthrough which bolts or rivets may be passed, or the members may bespotwelded together, to maintain the frame 24 in position on the upperfront of the casing, all as will be readily observed from the severalgures.

` The side wall 12 ofthe casing is provided with an access door`32`forpermitting manipulation of the burner controls, as will be fullydescribed hereinbelow.

It may be notedthat 'the lowerscreen frame 22 by virtue of beingfastenedto the lower portions of the -inturned edges 18 ofside walls 12 and 14will serve to Iprovide a lateral supportv for the lower front of thecasing.

Thus, at this point it will be clear that a simple and yet ruggedcasingisprovided. This is a unit of manufacture, into whichthe heater unit perse may be inserted from the rear.

Referring now particularly to Figures 4 6 the heater unit ischaracterized by side panels 40 and 42,a rear lpanel 44 and a top panel46. Extending between the side panels'40 and 42' is an inner airdeecting panel 48 and an outer air deflecting panel 50. The inner air dewardly in a horizontal direction at the bottom ofthe unit, then curvesupwardly and near the top of the unit turns again outwardlyinahorizontal direction.

A second air passage V54 is defined between outer surface of outerdeecting panel 50 and the inner surface of rear panelvte. This passagewill permit air to enter -theibottom of the casing below the screenframe 22 and then pass between' the heater unit side panels 40 and 42upwardly and then out either an opening 56 between i thetopedge 44' of`the rearlpanel and theV rear extremity l46of thetoppanel', orforwardlyout an opening 58 ybetween vthe terminal S0 of the air deectorpanel Si) and theforward vedge 46 of the top panel 46.

'To maintain heat :exchange with moving air laterally of the` heaterunit, side convection panels 60 and 62 are provided. These .panels aresimilar in all respects and,

referring tov panel 60, there isprovided top inturned edge 64, rearinturned edge 66 (Fig. 4) .and a front inturned vedge 68 which extendsfromthelower edge 66' of the `panel 60 up approximately two-thirds ofthe panel 60 `lnfthe. region .of4 paneltltl between thelevel of. edge 68and the top inturned edgeV 64 a wing 70"exten'ds forwardly 3 (Figs. 4and 5) to provide air-directing means extendin into-the area of screenframe 24.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that air passages 72 and 74 areprovided for the movement of air upwardly for heat exchange purposesalong the side panels 40 and 42 and thence outwardly through the screenframe 24. In this way the side walls 12 and 14 of the casing aremaintained in cool condition. It will be further observed that spaceexists outwardly of convection panels 6&3 and 62 and casing walls 12 and14 for additional movement of air for maintaining the walls 12 and 14 incool condition.

A hearth shelf Btl is provided extending between the heater unit sidepanels 40 and 42, this panel extending from a forwardly and downwardlyturned edge 80' at the forward edges of side panels 40 and 42 to aninner formed rib 82. Extending downwardly and forwardly from rib 82 is aburner shield 84, the latter also extending the cornplete distancebetween side panels 40 and 42. The rib 82 lies approximately one-halfthe distance between the front edges of panels 4t) and 42 and the innerair deflecting panel 48, all as may be most readily observed in Figure5. It will be further noted in Figures and 6 that the hearth shelf 80 ispositioned at the level of the top of screen frame 22.

At substantially the level of hearth shelf 80, but spaced inwardlytherefrom and near the inner air deecting panel 4S, is a support rail 86extending between the side panels 46 and 42. Rail 86 is characterized bya trough section 83 for supporting the rear legs on ceramic radiants themain portions of which rest on the top of rib 82, all as shown in Figure5. It will be understood that a plurality of conventional radiants willbe provided, for extending completely across the space between sidepanels 40 and 42.

Resting on hearth shelf 80 is a hearth radiation reiiector 94,preferably at least coated with a material which may be highly polishedto reflect heat from the ceramic radiants 90. Additionally, sideradiation reectors 96 and 9S having polished surfaces may .be providedfor reflecting heat outwardly. Reliectors 96 and 98 may be seated inclips 106 fixed to the heater unit side panels 40 and 42 as shown inFigures 5 and 6. The forward edges of reflectors 96 and 98 may be sprungbehind the inturned edges 18 of the casing side panels 12 and 14, asshown in Figure 4.

It will be noted that the ceramic radiants 90 extend l upwardly tosubstantially the level of the lower edge of screen frame 24.

Apertures 110 may be provided on the outer side edges 'r of rear panel44 for mounting panel 44 on the inturned edges of casing side walls 12and 14. By means of self-tapping sheet metal screws extending throughapertures 110 and corresponding apertures in edges 20, the entire heaterunit as illustrated in Figure 6 may be maintained in position within thecasing defined by top wall 10, side walls 12 and 14 and screen frames 22and 24.

The heater unit is further provided with a combustion burner 120. Thisburner may be of conventional internal design and details are notthought to be necessary. However, it may be brieiy noted that an airmixing arrangement is provided at 122 and combustion occurs at theplurality of outlets 124. Necessary control valves may be provided at126 and a pipe for attachment to a source of fuel supply is provided at128, extending rearwardly through a suitable aperture 130 in the rearpanel 44. it will be noted that the position of v the control means 126isin proximity to the access door 32 shown in Figure 2. Thus,notwithstanding that the combustion burner is part of the heater unit asseparately mounted in the casing, nevertheless the position of the door32 provides ready access to the controls.' It will be furtherunderstoodthat any convenient automatic pilot light arrangement may beprovided, although same is not shown in the drawings, for operation ofthe burner under control of a thermostat or the like.

The combustion burner 120 is installed in the heater unit as shown aftersame is assembled, by providing an aperture 132 in side wall 40 forpermitting passage of the complete burner 120 therethrough. A smallaperture 134 may be provided in opposite panel 42 for receiving anextension 120 of burner 120. After the burner 120 is inserted into theheater unit and fixed to side panel 40 by means of support screws 136,the upper portion of the aperture 132 may be covered by plate 138 whichprovides a suitable mounting structure for a pilot device and forpreventing any undesired and substantial amount of air from entering thearea of combustion from the side.

When required by city codes, a so-called dress guard 14? (Figs. l and 2)may be provided. This guard may he secured to the heater casing in anyconvenient manner, as by springing the ends of leg members 142 (Fig. 2)into suitable apertures (not shown) in the bottom of screen frame 24 andtop of screen frame 22.

In operation suitable fuel will be introduced through pipe 128 andcombustion will occur at the top of combustion burner 120, at theplurality of combustion apertures 124, all in conventional manner. Theflame will cause the radiants to become incandescent in the customarymanner. Radiation will be directed outwardly Y with the aid of thehearth reflecting surface 94 and side reflectors 96 and 98. The primaryair for combustion will enter through the mixing device 122 of burner120. However, the secondary .air for combustion will enter throughscreen frame 22 generally between the level of end 48 of inner airdeflector 48, and the level of hearth 80. The burner shield 84 isprovided to insure a generally upward flow of air about the burnercombustion apertures 124.

There will be a large amount of heated air passing upwardly through andbehind the ceramic radiants 90 and this air is directed outwardlygenerally through the lower half of screen frame 24, as will be fullyapparent from Figure 5. It is an important aspect of the invention thatthis body of air, being heated, will move most rapidly. Moving rapidly,if the movement occurred near the floor 16 on which the heater stands,there would be a tendency to pick up considerable amounts of lint andother foreign objects, all which preferably should not be in the heatedair. However, the intake for this large volume of heated air isconsiderably removed from the floor, being above the terminal point 48of air deliector 48. Therefore, this objection found in known heaters isgreatly reduced.

As has been indicated generallyhereinabove, the next most rapid movementof air occurs through passageway 52 defined by the inner air deflector48 and the outer air deflector 50. However, again the inlet topassageway 52 is considerably above the iioor 16. To provide the nalheat exchange to maintain the outer surfaces of the cabinet in coolcondition, air moves through the passageway 54. While the intake to thispassageway is generally at the floor level, nevertheless the movement ofair in this passageway is quite slow and no appreciable amount offoreign material will be picked up from the floor.

Thus, from the foregoing description it is thought to be clear that bythe present invention there is provided a highly efficient space heater,in which the outer surfaces of the casing or cabinet are maintainedcool, and yet foreign matter is not picked up from the floor of the roomin which it stands, to contaminate the heated air.

What is claimed is:

1. In a space heater, the combination comprising an outer casing havingtop, rear, and side walls, the lower ends of said rear and side wallsbeing formed to be mounted on a oor, and the front of said casing beingopen; inner side and top panels mounted within said outer casing inspaced relation to said side and top walls, respectively, of the outercasing; an elongated combustion burner mounted between said side wallsto extend transversely within the lower central portion of the casing;radiant means mounted to extend directly above said combustion burner;an elongated U-shaped outer air deection panel having a lower portionextending rearwardly beneath said burner from a region near the loweropen front of the casing, and having an intermediate portion extendingupwardly at the rear of said burner -in forwardly spaced relation tosaid rear wall, and having a top portion extending forwardly over saidburner below, and in spaced relation to, said top panel, and terminatingat a region near the upper open front of the casing; an elongatedU-shaped inner air deflection panel disposed between said burner andsaid outer air deflection panel, and spaced from each, said inner airdeection panel having a lower portion extending rearwardly beneath saidburner from a region near the lower open front of the casing, and havingan intermediate portion extending upwardly at the rear of said burner,and having a top portion extending forwardly over said burner andterminating at a region near the upper open front of the casing; saidouter air deection panel and said inner air deection panel having theirside edges contiguous to the inner faces of said side panels; `ahorizontal hearth shelf extending laterally between said side panels andhaving a rear edge spaced` from said inner air deflection panel; saidlower portion of said outer air deection panel being spaced above theplane of the lower extremity of said casing and forming with said sidewalls and the open front of said casing a lower air inlet opening; saidtop portion of said outer air deflection panel, said top panel, and saidside panels forming with the open front of said casing an upper airoutlet opening; said lower portions of said inner and outer air deecticnpanels and said side panels forming with the open front of the casing anintermediate air inlet opening; said top portions of said inner andouter air deiiection panels and said side panels forming with the openfront of the casing an intermediate air outlet opening; said hearthshelf, said lower portion of said inner air deflection panel, and saidside panels forming with the open front of said casing an upper airinlet opening; said top portion of said inner air deflection panel andsaid side panels forming with the open front of the casing a lower airoutlet opening; the lower portion of the inner air deection panel andsaid hearth shelf defining with said side panels a passage from saidupper air inlet Opening for secondary combustion air passing to and pastsaid burner and said radiant means and to said lower air outlet opening;the inner and outer air deflection panels defining with said side panelsa passage from said intermediate air inlet opening for first heatexchange air passing upward and behind said burner to said intermediateair outlet opening; said outer `deflection panel and said rear walls andtop panels defining with said side panels a passage from said lower airinlet opening for second heat exchange air passing upward and behindsaid first heat exchange air passage to said upper air outlet opening,said last mentioned passage being always separated from said secondarycombustion air passage by the iirst heat exchange air passage wherebysaid second heat exchange air passage is always insulated by the airwithin the tirst heat exchange passage from the heat of said secondarycombustion air passage, and will always contain air having a lowertemperature, moving at a lower velocity, than either the iirst heatexchange passage air or the secondary combustion air passage air.

2. Apparatus as in claim l wherein air convection panels are mountedoutwardly of, and in spaced relation to, said side panels -to dene sideheat exchange air passages to receive air from said lower air inletopenings and for directing the air upwardly along the said side panelsand then forwardly to the region of said lower and intermediate airoutlet openings.

3. The structure defined in claim 2 in which the outer surfaces of saidair convection panels and said casing side and rear walls ldefine asecond side heat exchange air passage for receiving air from said airinlet openings and 4for passing air to said air outlet openings.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,456,472 Stein May 22, 1923 1,664,171 Hicks Mar. 27, 1928 2,023,136Herbster Dec. 3, 1935 2,269,387 Weaver Jan. 6, 1942 2,476,579 BeckerJuly 19, 1949 2,696,205 Ruhl Dec. 7, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 490,954 GreatBritain Aug. 24, 1938 576,816 Great Britain Apr. 18, 1946

